Good Road Research Articles

Enhancement of kaolin clay soil for civil engineering application using rice husk ash and sawdust ash geopolymer cements

These days, good quality road construction materials are scarce and their haulage to the construction site is expensive. When unsuitable materials are encountered during flexible pavement construction, the most technical and economical option is always to improve them to meet design standards. One of these deficient materials mostly encountered in tropical regions is kaolin clay soils. Cement and lime that are traditional deficient soil improvement agents are on high demand therefore have kept the cost of engineering construction financially high. Thus, the use of agricultural wastes such as sawdust and rice husk as alternative construction materials will considerably reduce the cost of construction and as well mitigate the environmental hazards caused by the wastes and cement production. This study investigated and compared the performance of rice husk ash (RHA) and sawdust ash (SDA) geopolymer cements in improving the geotechnical properties of kaolin clay soil used for flexible pavement construction. All laboratory experimental tests were carried out in accordance with British Standard (BS) 1377 and BS 1924 for natural and modified kaolin clay soil samples respectively. Soil samples were mixed with geopolymer cement at stepped concentrations of 0, 4, 8, 12, 16 and 20% by dry weight of soil. Results indicated that the plasticity index value of the natural kaolin clay of 18.52% was reduced to 7.24% at 20% RHA geopolymer cement content. The unconfined compressive strength of the natural soil was improved by 600 and 400 % by RHA and SDA geopolymer cements respectively. It was concluded that the use of up to 20% RHA and SDA geopolymer cements can efficiently and eco-friendly improve kaolin clay for flexible pavement foundation purpose.

ANALYSIS OF ROAD DAMAGE USING THE PCI (Pavement Condition Index) METHOD AND ALTERNATIVE HANDLING (Case Study : Jl. Raya Dumaja - Jl. Raya Tanah Merah, Kab. Bangkalan STA 32+000 - 35+000)

The highway is an essential facility for the community to achieve its goal, so the community needs a safe and convenient road, and it is expected to improve the industry and the economy of the community. However, over time, the condition of the highway will decrease according to the age of the road, and it will be an obstacle for their trip. This research is conducted to see the condition of the damaged surface flexible stiffening in Jl. Raya Dumaja - Jl. Raya Tanah Merah, Kab. Bangkalan. The method used in this study is the PCI (Pavement Condition Index) method to evaluate road stiffening by type, level, and level of damage that occurs, as well as a reference and maintenance effort. The result of this research based on the PCI method is JL. Raya Dumaja -Jl. Raya Tanah Merah STA, 32 + 000 - 35 + 000, gets a total score of 53.68 medium (Fair) with a PCI percentage of the highest road conditions is 45% in good road conditions (Good), 38.3% in medium road conditions (Fair), 15% in bad road conditions (Poor) and very bad (Very Poor), 1.67% with the alternative handling is the treatment of abilities.

Macroeconomic and Bank-Specific Determinants of Non-Performing Loans in Nigeria

Proper management of banks’ assets is the most sought panacea by bank managers in Nigeria. Lower quality of loans in the banking system can lead to higher loan loss provisions and affect banks’ capital adequacy ratios. This study examines how Non-Performing Loans (NPLs) of Nigeria’s Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) respond to selected macroeconomic and bank-specific determinants. Using the data within the sample period of 1981-2019 with Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) model, the study establishes that in the short-run, the level of NPLs in Nigeria is affected by these macroeconomic determinants namely, the unemployment rate (UNEMP), gross domestic products growth rate (GDPG) and exchange rate (EXRT) as well as bank-specific determinant (loan-to-deposit) ratio (LDR). However, in the long-run, GDPG and EXRT have a positive and significant influence on NPLs. The variables respond in line with our apriori expectation, however, unemployment, inflation and loans to deposits ratio are insignificant and appear not to affect NPLs in Nigeria in the long-run. The study recommends that government should ensure that the naira is properly managed as deterioration in its value portends a grave impact on the rate of non-performing loans. Also, improved infrastructures like good roads, water and power would enable the borrowers to fulfil repayment plans on time. A robust economy is important for borrowers to redeem their loan obligations in due time. This can be achieved by ensuring that loans assessed are channeled to more productive sectors of the economy.

Major Paths Changes In 2013-2022 To Walkability (Case Study: Dukuh Atas TOD)

Development area with the concept of Transit Oriented Development (TOD) occurs so rapidly in big cities, which aims to create an integrated transportation system and is supported by the surrounding area. TOD area must have good road access for vehicles and space for pedestrians. Dukuh Atas TOD is one of the transit-oriented areas planned to be the largest TOD area in Jakarta so that developments are felt every year, including visuals and the road traffic system and pedestrian space. This research is using qualitative method by answering specific and actual variables. Time series analysis to see changes every year combined with figure-ground analysis in mapping the location of changes that occur and will be described. The research results will produce an overview of road changes in the study period and knowledge of road construction and pedestrian space suitability based on predetermined standards. Visual changes, traffic systems, and pedestrian space will be the variables of this study is needed to see applicable standards, or any changes that are inappropriate that planning is needed to align with the function of the road as a connecting and as social activities in the area around Dukuh Atas TOD.

Community Support for Religious Tourism

In recent years, tourism has increased significantly, especially in developing countries, due to the development of infrastructures like good roads, well-connected airports, and hygienic accommodation facilities. However, the host community's attitude is critical for a tourism destination's strategic growth, development, and sustainability. As such, this study analyses attitudes and perceptions of the local community in Thrissur, a famous cultural destination in Kerala, India. Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) was adopted to develop a model for perceived tourism support with community attachment and overall quality of life. This model uses seven constructs: temple place image, economic benefits, social benefits, physical benefits, community attachment, overall quality of life, and perceived tourism support with forty-four attributes. The result indicates that Temple place image, socioeconomic and physical benefits, community attachment, and overall quality of life are predominant determiners for perceived tourism support of the local community.

Optimal pavement maintenance and management strategies for flood affected low volume rural roads

Due to the increase in urbanization and industrial development in India, there has been substantial traffic on the existing roads. This impact had increased public demand for good quality roads with better maintenance and high serviceability. Further, catastrophic events like flooding can cause damage to pavements, especially in those with granular base layers and thin asphalt mix surface layers. The degree of damage relies upon the vulnerability of the pavement to the entrance of surface water, the measure of water immersion, and the drainage quality of the pavement. The extensive literature review found limited studies on the post-flood maintenance strategy for low-volume roads by considering flood resilience. In the present scenario of changing climatic conditions, it is necessary to conduct a study on the post-flood maintenance strategy of low-volume rural roads in India. This study focuses on an approach to developing post-flood maintenance and rehabilitation strategies for flood-affected low-volume roads. Ten road stretches adversely affected by the flood were selected to fulfil the aim of the study. The post-flood maintenance strategy was determined based on the Pavement Condition Index (PCI) and deflection-based pavement performance with flood resiliency of pavement materials and budget constraints. The extensive data analysis revealed that the pavement with a cement-treated base or subbase has a longer service life and less Net Present Value (NPV) than all other alternatives. NPV is 30 to 45 for rehabilitation and 52 to 55 for reconstruction, lower than other alternatives considered in the study.

Automated Pothole Filling Machine

Abstract: This paper gives an overview of various methods and techniques used for pothole detection and repairing. In Indian roads, one often encounters potholes, which can be either dry or water-filled. Accordingly, to ensure safe driving, it is important detect potholes and forecast their depths in all conditions. A road network is a way of sharing and transporting goods and services locally to the community. Roads networks are also the means of communication in some parts of the world. Therefore, access to good roads improves the life quality and work of the people living in the community. Because of the poor condition of the design and development of the road network along with natural disasters like heavy rains have created many unwanted potholes on the roads which is unsafe for commuters and other road users. In addition, the lack of a proper road maintenance increases the number of potholes that jeopardizes transport and road safety

Full-scale experimental study on evacuation behavior characteristics of underwater road tunnel with evacuation stairs under blocked conditions

In recent decades, with the rapid development of the economy and tunnel construction technology, an increasing number of underwater road tunnels have been constructed in China. Underwater road tunnels play a crucial role in transportation hubs that connect cities and regions. Underwater tunnels have strong closures, which makes evacuation and rescue difficult. Therefore, personnel evacuation in emergencies, such as fires, has become a critical problem that needs to be solved. A full-scale evacuation experiment in an underwater shield tunnel with 188 participants was conducted to explore the characteristics of personnel evacuation behavior under the blocked condition of an underwater shield tunnel in the case of fire. The time of fire detection and personnel response, alighting time of passengers from vehicles, opening time of the stair-cover plate, evacuation capacity of stairs, and relationship between the evacuation speed and age and gender of participants were obtained. The experimental results showed that the driver’s actions had a strong demonstrative effect, and the improvement of the driver’s efficiency in handling emergencies could promote the evacuation process. The average alighting time per bus passenger was 1.41 ± 0.53 s, and proper personnel guidance, good road conditions, and increased tunnel familiarity reduced it. The average evacuation capacity of the stairs was 33.3 ± 4.1 person/min. When the proportion of older adults increased from 0 % to 10.64 %, the evacuation capacity of stairs decreased by approximately 8.5 %. The evacuation capacity of stairs can be significantly improved through reasonable organization and evacuation guidance. However, as the number of people gathered at the stair entrance gradually increased, the “bottleneck” effect became significant, and the evacuation capacity was primarily controlled by its structure at this time. The average evacuation speed for male and female was the same in good road conditions, about 1.39 m/s, but decreased significantly in blocked conditions, to 0.72 m/s and 0.48 m/s, respectively. Further, it decreased to 1.27 m/s and 1.23 m/s, respectively, in the secure channel, which may be related to the psychological state of relaxation and slackening and the increase in road pavement roughness.

Polyethylene based on molecular weight design for eco‐friendly asphalt

AbstractPolyethylene (PE) is widely used as a modifier for asphalt due to its low cost. However, PE increases the high‐temperature viscosity of asphalt, leading to higher construction temperatures and harmful emissions. In this study, PE‐modified asphalt with good road performance, energy saving and emission reduction was synthesized by adjusting the molecular weight (Mw) of PE. By studying the effect of PE with different Mw on the viscosity of asphalt, the Mw of PE that can reduce the high‐temperature viscosity of asphalt was concluded and the target product PE‐4 was synthesized. PE reduces the high‐temperature viscosity of asphalt when its Mw is less than the critical molecular weight (Mc) for molecular chain entanglement in the molten state. PE‐4 successfully reduced the high‐temperature viscosity of matrix asphalt. The pavement performance of PE‐4 modified asphalt was characterized. The results showed that PE‐4 reduced the penetration of asphalt, and improved its softening point, ductility, and rutting resistance. PE‐4 modified asphalt is an eco‐friendly asphalt with good road performance. The above data proved that PE with Mw less than Mc makes PE a promising asphalt modifier, which is beneficial to the green utilization of PE.

An Ultra-Thin, Microwave-Absorbing Wear Layer for Pavement Deicing.

Microwave heating is widely employed in pavement deicing. However, it is difficult to improve the deicing efficiency because only a small part of the microwave energy is used and most of it is wasted. To improve the utilization efficiency of microwave energy and the deicing efficiency, we used silicon carbide (SiC)-replaced aggregates in asphalt mixtures to prepare an ultra-thin, microwave-absorbing wear layer (UML). The SiC particle size, SiC content, oil-stone ratio and thickness of the UML were determined. The effect of the UML on energy saving and material reduction was also evaluated. Results show that only a 10 mm UML was needed to melt a 2 mm ice layer within 52 s at -20 °C and rated power. In addition, the minimum layer thickness to meet the specification requirement (≥2000 με) of asphalt pavement was also 10 mm. SiC with larger particle sizes increased the temperature rise rate but decreased the temperature uniformity, instead increasing the deicing time. The deicing time of a UML with SiC particle size less than 2.36 mm was 35 s shorter than that of a UML with SiC particle size greater than 2.36 mm. Furthermore, more SiC content in the UML resulted in a higher temperature rise rate and less deicing time. The temperature rise rate and deicing time of the UML with 20% SiC were 4.4 times and 44% of those of the control group. When the target void ratio was 6%, the optimum oil-stone ratio of UML was 7.4%, and it had good road performance. Compared to overall heating, the UML saved 75% of power and SiC material under the same heating efficiency. Therefore, the UML reduces microwave deicing time and saves energy and material.

Women of the southwest region of cameroon speak: poverty reduction strategies and policies.

Using Meme Division in the Southwest region of Cameroon as a case study, this research seeks to answer two broad questions (a) What factors are responsible for women's poverty in the region? (b) What sustainable programs can be put in place to curb poverty among Cameroonian women? Using a combination of strategies including focus group interviews, one-on-one interviews, observations, and archival data, themes obtained from interviews were coded and a narrative analysis method was utilized to explain results. While there is heterogeneity of poverty indicators used in the measurement of poverty, those that are evident in this study are, education, living standards, vulnerability, and access to social capital. The paper includes policy initiatives such as engaging women in positions of authority, rescinding laws that stifle women's progress; providing electricity; wells, water purification systems; constructing good roads; cultivating head start programs, introducing technological gadgets in classrooms as well as modernized equipment in trade and commerce; and a sensible health plan, addressing poor governance, among other recommendations.

ANALISIS KERUSAKAN JALAN DENGAN METODE PCIDAN BINA MARGA JALAN NAGARI KOTO KACIAK KABUPATEN PASAMAN

Roads are land transportation infrastructure that has a very important role in the land transportation sector that supports the continuity of the distribution of goods and services to encourage economic growth in an area. Good road conditions will facilitate community activities, if there is road damage, community activities will be hindered so that accidents can occur. The purpose of this study was to determine the types of damage and the pavement index value for Nagari Koto Kaciak road, Pasaman Regency, so that it could compare the value of the condition of the Nagari Koto Kaciak road, Pasaman Regency based on two predetermined methods. The method used is the PCI (Pavement Condition Index) method and the Bina Marga method. Assessment of road conditions in the PCI method is ranked from 0-100 while the Bina Marga method is based on the order of road priority with a value range of 0-7. Types of damage found on Nagari Koto Kaciak road, Pasaman Regency along a length of 2 km, included holes, crocodile skin cracks, patches, block cracks and side cracks. In the PCI method the average value obtained is 66.31 which is a good road condition. In the Bina Marga method, the priority order value is 6, meaning that the road is under periodic maintenance. After comparing the results of the research on the condition of the Nagari Koto Kaciak road, Pasaman Regency with the two methods, it turns out that the results and values are almost the same, namely the condition of the road is still in good condition but requires maintenance so as not to worsen road conditions.

Aarey conservation: A multifaceted opportunity for climate mitigation in an urban setting

Abstract Citizens of the world are bracing themselves to combat and mitigate cataclysmic climate crisis. Recurrent climate accidents are leaving behind millions of climate refugees, who flock to urban centers in search of safety and security. Overcrowded metropolitan cities are highly vulnerable due to their high human densities and absolute numbers of residents and migrants. A well-connected network of urban green zones (UGZs) provides multiple values that enable sustainable climate mitigation and adaptation. The metropolis of Mumbai, with over 24 million humans (Mumbaikars), is fortunate to also have a network of large UGZs and protected areas (PAs), viz. Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Aarey Milk Colony (AMC), Tungareshwar, Thane, Tansa, and Karnala Wildlife Sanctuaries, along with mangrove forests and public parks. However, most PAs restrict entry and climate mitigation actions. AMC, spread over 12.5 km2 provides a unique “mosaic” landscape, inhabited by indigenous communities (Warli and Mahadev Koli), locals, and migrants. The hills, farms, artificial meadows, and built-up complexes, with a good road network and proximity to Mumbai’s suburbs, provide numerous opportunities to achieve the 17 sustainable development goals set out by members of the United Nations Conference of the Parties. The path to achieve climate and resource stability, in the economic capital of the nation, is a precarious one and needs planning and engagement of all stakeholders. Long-term protection of AMC will provide socioeconomic equity as well as ecological and health security to current and future generations of Mumbaikars.

Experimental Study on the Subgrade Soil Stabilization using Lime Stone Powder

Abstract: A good road network is a basic infrastructure required for rapid economic growth, and this road network fails mainly due to weak subgrade, less infiltration capacity, landslide etc.,. Use of lime stone powder material has become popular in the construction industry In this case study, an attempt is being made to stabilize the subgrade soil using Lime Stone powder . Expansive soils are the most challenging soils to work with because of their tendency to swell and expand when exposed to varying moisture levels. Many structures for civil engineering have been damaged as a result. The presence of expansive subgrade soil causes discomfort to the pavement and pavement deterioration. In order to solve the issue, thick layers of expanding soil must be removed and replaced with competent material, which is very expensive in terms of time and money-consuming due to long hauling distances. In this study, the expansive subgrade soil was stabilised using lime. The VIDISHA-BHOPAL NH-146 RANGAI GHAT Road is where the soil was collected. The free swell index test, Atterberg limit test, Proctor test, California Bearing Ratio Tests, and swelling potential were used to compare the attributes of treated and untreated soils. Lime was used to treat the subgrade soil that are superior to onather material results when mixed with soil at various percentages, such as 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20%. according to the soil's weight. Based on the results of the soaked CBR, MDD, and OMC, as well as the 20% Lime Stone, the CBR value increase.

Effect of Road Rehabilitation on Housing Renovation in Calabar South Local Government Area, Cross River State, Nigeria

Infrastructure provision has been identified as a potent tool for the improvement of neighborhoods globally. One such infrastructure is a good road network. Road rehabilitation, therefore, has the capability of promoting land use development and housing development/renovation. Despite the obvious effect that road rehabilitation has on predicting property development and renovation, there appears to be a paucity of studies as it relates to Calabar South Local Government Area where road several roads have been rehabilitated. It is against this backdrop that this study was conceived. The study, therefore, analysed the relationship that exists between road rehabilitation and housing renovation in Calabar South Local Government Area between 2002 and 2021. Six residential neighbourhoods were randomly sampled. Furthermore, a total of 399 copies of the questionnaire were distributed and 389 copies were retrieved and used for analysis. Descriptive statistics such as frequencies and simple percentages were used in carrying out the analysis. It was noted that road rehabilitation drastically triggered the renovation of properties in the study area. For instance, there was an increase in the extent to which housing units were fenced, painted among other renovation exercises in housing units before and after the rehabilitation of the roads.

Performance-optimised design of sand fog seal for pavement cold repair using RSM I-optimal methodology

ABSTRACT Sand fog seal is a preventive maintenance material to repair the early distresses in asphalt pavements. The objective of this study is to develop an optimal design guideline for sand fog seal to balance the demand for rapid traffic opening with the need to keep good road performance. Based on the response surface methodology (RSM) and I-optimal methodology, the effects of the components’ ratios (including water, filler, and sand) and their interactions on the curing process and surface function of sand fog seal were investigated. The test results showed that water can regulate the fluidity and dispersibility of the fresh sand fog seal mortar, but will prolong the curing process. The modified sodium bentonite, as the filler, can shorten the full curing time of sand fog seal due to its good moisture absorption and permeability. Moreover, the interaction of water and filler significantly affected the bonding strength, and the recommended water-filler ratio was 1.5. The sand content should be controlled to less than 25% to ensure good adhesion and abrasion resistance. Finally, a formulation design guideline for sand fog seal based on desirability optimization methodology (DOM) was proposed, with recommended formulation of 21.8% water, 30% filler, and 25% sand.

Design and Optimiozation of Front A – Arm Suspension System for Speciqal Purpose Electric Vehicle

An electric vehicle also called as EV is a vehicle that make use of the electric motors for its operation. It can be operated by a set electronics system, with power from an external battery source also from the solar panels and sometimes from converting fuel to electricity using fuel cells. This project is mainly focused on the comfort and handling area of the EV’s and hence worked more on the suspension system. Suspension system is basically used to gain good road holding while driving, cornering events and sudden braking conditions and also to keep the proper steering geometry while various road conditions. Another important reason for suspension system is to offer comfort to the occupants against road shocks and provide a riding comfort. In this project, we extensively worked on the suspension system types, its design, optimization and manufacturing aspects for the initial prototype. A – Arm suspension system was selected for the study and an initial concept of the suspension system was made using Creo Parametric Software and then the optimization was performed using M.Sc Adams software for better handling behavior. Manufacturing drawing were also created for initial prototype build.

The Properties of Sodium-Hypochlorite-Activated Crumb Rubber and the Influence of Aging on the Rheological Properties of Activated Asphalt Rubber

Asphalt rubber shows good road performance. However, the compatibility and aging problems of asphalt rubber limit its application. The improvement of the solubility of crumb rubber in asphalt was investigated in this research, and the mechanism of its aging effect on the rheological properties of activated asphalt rubber was studied. First, the crumb rubber was activated by using a sodium hypochlorite (NaClO) solution, and the pore characteristics and microstructure of the activated crumb rubber were analyzed. Second, the influence of the crumb rubber’s activation characteristics on the rheological properties of the asphalt rubber before and after aging was analyzed. Finally, the aging mechanism of the activated asphalt rubber was revealed at a microscopic level. The results showed that with the increase in the activation degree, the pore characteristics of the crumb rubber decreased first and then increased. The surface stacking structure of the crumb rubber increased, and a dense gel film gradually formed. The asphalt rubber prepared by the activated crumb rubber had better rheological properties and had a more significant effect under higher stress conditions. This may have been due to the activation of the crumb-rubber surface, forming oxygen-containing functional groups, which, in turn, increased the combination of the crumb rubber and the asphalt. In addition, the activation degree and aging effect of crumb rubber can reduce the large-particle-size molecule (LMS) content of activated asphalt rubber. There is a significant correlation between LMS content and rheological properties, and LMS content can be used to predict the rheological properties of asphalt rubber.

Valuing postharvest losses among tomato smallholder farmers: evidence from Ghana

Tomato is a major vegetable crop produced in most towns in Ghana, especially in the Offinso-North District of the country, and serves as a means of livelihood in terms of the income to the producers. To critically reduce postharvest losses to help increase the amount of food available for consumption, this study examined the value of postharvest losses among tomato farmers in Ghana. The data, which were obtained from 203 tomato producers, were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Kendall’s coefficient of concordance as well as fractional response and Box Cox regression models. The results revealed the quantity and the financial value of post-harvest losses among the tomato producers to be 3506.3 kg and GH₵3598.7, respectively. We also find that the primary cause of postharvest loss was mainly rot and bruise. This occurred as a result of unavailability of reliable markets. In addition, the results of the fractional response regression model showed that level of education and unavailability of market have significant positive effects on the proportion of tomato lost. Finally, the results of the Box Cox Regression model showed that whereas the value of postharvest losses and transportation cost have negative relationships with the revenue generated from sales, quantity of tomato harvested exerted a positive influence on the revenue obtained. The study recommends the need for stakeholders’ intervention in the building and provision of storage facilities, good road networks, processing factories in tomato producing towns, ready markets, as well as dams to help supply water all year round for continuous tomato production.

Micro-Energy Harvesting From Automotive Dynamics

Abstract Most modern vehicles feature some level of automation that contributes to the overall feeling of comfort and safety. Traditional designs are, however, more difficult to apply. In fact, it is a growing consumer of wires for power and communication use, which increases the weight and cost. As a result, new micro-electronics development aims to create systems that do not require external power sources. The automotive systems are exposed to disturbances, which exhibit a vibrational response. This may be harvested into electrical energy. Therefore, the generated energy may be a potential power source for devices, applied to the vehicle. To this end, a micropower generator based on a piezo-electric device is attached to the front suspension arm, an unusual solution in the automotive industry, for extracting energy from vehicle dynamics to power micro-electronic devices and sensors. A numerical simulation from a three degrees-of-freedom model and an experimental vehicular test in different road types were applied to map the energy generated in the harvesting process. The results show that the possibility of generating micro-energy on good quality roads; is low when the International Roughness Index (IRI) is less than 4, and the micro-energy is less than 0.1 mW. However, significant performance is achieved on uneven roads (IRI > 10), that achieve harvested power greater than 0.2 mW. The IRI is a standard method for classifying road roughness. It was found generally that an off-road vehicle is better for harvesting micro-energy because of the high acceleration in the suspension.